Hypocrisy
Do as I say, not as I do.
People who do one thing but say another do not uphold standards for themselves that they expect of others. This is a weight they eagerly put on other people’s shoulders while they themselves walk carelessly, not willing to bear any weight for themselves. They have double standards and point the finger quickly while refraining from responsibility for themselves.
Jesus rebuked the teachers of the law in His day for this hypocrisy.
Matthew 23:1-5 (NIV)
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them. “Everything they do is done for people to see:
How can we make sure we do not become hypocrites?
By understanding the nature of God. By allowing Christ to live in our hearts through faith and being rooted and grounded in His love (Ephesians 3:17). It’s not about rules, it’s about relationship.
Micah 6:8 (AMP)
He has told you, o man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion), and to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]?
This is His nature.
God is love (1 John 4:16). We can understand His nature by understanding what love is.
Note the gentleness in this last passage about love, but also the warning of right and wrong that can lead to hypocrisy.
1 Corinthians 13:1-7 (ERV)
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. Love is not rude, it is not selfish, and it cannot be made angry easily. Love does not remember wrongs done against it. Love is never happy when others do wrong, but it is always happy with the truth. Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits.
We will always fall short. Our humanity is full of faults, but Christ in us is faultless. His grace covers our failings and places the desire in our hearts to extend grace to others and persevere in what is right.
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